Frozen: Storybook Deluxe

December 19, 2013

Disney brings their film adaptation of Frozen to life in this digital book, pairing animated clips from the feature film alongside a nicely abridged version of the movie's plot. This app is a real treat that includes much more than a book, providing lots of entertainment for young readers in the form of games, puzzles and coloring pages based on the hit movie, released this year (2013).

My child, like most, loves Disney films, so he was delighted to see a few animated scenes from the movie interspersed throughout the book. This is one of the ways this storybook stands out from many of the other movie-themed book apps available. This title also has a nice choice of settings, letting you set the book up for auto-play (Follow Along) or a more interactive "Read & Explore" mode. You can also record your own narration, although the professional voice over is top notch.

As a digital title, this book is solidly made with lots of simple settings like a page-guide, home button and ways to 'keep in touch' with Disney. Overall this is a transmedia title sure to please any young reader and a great way to relive the movie. This would even be a great way to share the 'Frozen' story with kids who've never seen the film.

Recommended.

This app has been thoroughly evaluated by our staff. Please click on the 'star ratings' tab above, to see how it fared in all nine of our rating categories. See synopsis tab for more details about the storyline.

All reviews are of the app, not the platform/device. Based originally on iPad versions. Minor technical details may vary.

Story Synopsis - Frozen: Storybook Deluxe

8 year old Elsa, princess of Arendelle, possesses cryokinetic powers. One night while playing, she accidentally injures and knocks out her 5 year old sister Anna. The king and queen seek help from the troll people who heal Anna and remove her memories of her sister's powers. In order to protect Elsa and keep her powers top secret, the royal family locks themselves away in their castle. Elsa, who was being hidden from people for their safety, spends most of her time hiding in her room, creating a rift between the 2 sisters as they grow up, one that is strained again after their parents die at sea during a storm.

3 years later, the people of Arendelle prepare for Elsa's coronation ceremony. Among the dignitaries is the Duke of Weselton, a tradesman who wants to exploit Arendelle for profit. Excited that the castle's gates will finally open to the public, Anna explores the town and meets Prince Hans of the Southern Isles, with the pair quickly developing a mutual attraction for each other. Elsa's coronation goes off without incident, and the two sisters begin to bond again at the reception. During the reception, Hans proposes to Anna, who hastily accepts. Elsa, however, refuses to grant her blessing on the marriage, setting off an argument between the sisters, which culminates in Elsa's abilities being exposed to the guests.

Panicked, Elsa flees, inadvertently unleashing an eternal winter on the kingdom in the process. Free of her secret and far from Arendelle, she builds herself an ice palace and unknowingly brings to life her and Anna's childhood snowman, Olaf. Anna sets out onhorseback on her Fjord horse in search of Elsa, determined to return her to Arendelle, end the winter, and mend their relationship. While getting supplies, she meets mountain man Kristoff and his reindeer Sven. Anna convinces Kristoff to guide her to the North Mountain in search of her sister. The group encounters Olaf who leads them to Elsa's palace.

Anna and Elsa are reunited, but while Anna tries to persuade her older sister to return, Elsa still harbors fears of hurting Anna. Elsa becomes agitated and accidentally strikes Anna in the heart with her powers. Desperate to get her to leave, Elsa creates a giant snow creature that throws them out. As they flee, Kristoff notices that Anna's hair is turning white, and decides to take her back to his adoptive family of trolls. Grand Pabbie reveals that only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart, otherwise Anna will freeze forever. Kristoff races back to Arendelle, believing a kiss from Hans will save her.

Meanwhile, Hans, who had gone on a search for Anna, encounters Elsa and brings her back to Arendelle after she is knocked unconscious during a fight with Weselton's men, shackling her in the dungeon for her own protection. Hans pleads with Elsa to undo the winter, but Elsa admits she is unable to control her powers. When Anna is reunited with Hans and begs him to kiss her to break the curse, Hans refuses, revealing his true plan of marrying Anna to seize control of Arendelle's throne. Leaving Anna to die, Hans charges Elsa with treason for her sister's apparent but false death.

Elsa escapes and heads out into the blizzard on the fjord. Olaf finds Anna and reveals Kristoff is in love with her. The two then travel together onto the fjord to find him. Hans confronts Elsa and tells her Anna is dead because of her actions. In Elsa's despair, the storm immediately stops, giving Kristoff and Anna the chance to reach each other. However Anna, seeing that Hans is about to kill Elsa, throws herself between the two and subsequently freezes solid, blocking the blow.

As Elsa grieves for her sister, Anna begins to thaw, her decision to sacrifice herself to save her sister constituting an "act of true love." Realizing love is the key to controlling her powers, Elsa is able to thaw the kingdom and even provide Olaf with the means to survive outside of winter. Hans is sent back to the Southern Isles to face trial for his attempt of assassination, and Elsa cuts off trade with Weselton. Elsa reconciles with Anna and promises to never close the palace again, and while Anna and Kristoff share a kiss, Elsa uses her powers to entertain the residents of Arendelle.

Frozen: Storybook Deluxe

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